LA Marathon (Part 2)

LA Marathon Official Van - Where's Nhat?!

Mile 1-6: The race adrenaline finally kicked in by the time I crossed the start line. I ran at a steady pace the first few miles. Light rain started at Mile 2 and was on and off throughout the first half of the race. It was cold and my body couldn’t shake it off. I held onto my foil blanket hoping it would keep me warm and dry, but it was inevitable running for hours in the rain I’d get soaked. The course took us through Chinatown and Little Tokyo in this part of the race. By Mile 6 my iShuffle was acting up and the music was coming in and out. Soon enough the music was GONE and this threw off my pace. Running w/ music keeps me going and feeds my veins. I had to come to terms that for the next 20 miles I was just gonna deal with it :( This didn’t make me a happy runner, but what could I do at this point? I was still feeling  physically good and trying my best not to think about the cold and being music-less. Looking back, this was my first mental breakdown in the race.

Mile 8-13: Ran through parts of downtown LA and into Hollywood. I remember seeing the infamous Hollywood sign and not being impressed. It was cold and the rain was coming down harder and wasn’t letting up. My legs were starting to feel heavy and socks were wet. I was still in good spirits, but that was slipping too.

Mile 14-24: The misery continues and my legs gave into the cold. Around Mile 15 and somewhere in Hollywood my calves started cramping up. I slowed down my pace but kept on running. I didn’t want to stop b/c it would be a disaster. Before I knew it both calves were cramping and I was forced to come to a halt and almost to my knees. I stopped to stretch it out but my body was shivering from the cold. As I would try to run my calves would cramp up in excruciating pain – like getting a Charlie horse! I knew if I forced myself to run I’d get “dunzo” and would have to withdraw. So I started walking and eating bananas and pretzels offered along the course. I was hoping this would soon pass so I could run, but no luck … This was extremely frustrating and humbling at the same time – I’m a runner, and now I’m barely on my feet!! The hopes of running a 4:30 dashed and before I knew it I was limping b/c my hip flexor (groin area) was cramping up and pain was radiating all over my right leg. As the pain worsen, the rain came down harder! I did my best to just focus on moving – step by step, one landmark at a time.The course became a blur at different points and mild hypothermia kicked in.

The LA Marathon was also full of kids running for Kids Run LA. This is a non-profit outreach to help get children off the streets by offering running as an outlet. It was really inspiring to watch kids running in the rain and pushing through adverse conditions. They were the ones who inspired me! If these kids could do it, I can do it!

As miserable as the running conditions were that day, runners were still in great spirits! Runners are crazy this way! Entertainment (i.e. people watching) for me was at it’s best: runners singing in the rain, a man passing me by holding up his pants singing “my pants are fallin’, my pants and slippin,”, Coatman running in a pleaded  blazer w/ a bottle of champagne on a tray in hand, and  a lady free boobin’ it in the rain wearing a white top – she was well endowed too!

Mile 24-26.2: The home stretch! At this point my emotions were all over the place! I was frustrated that I had reached the 5 hour mark, hurting b/c with every step I was in pain, and determined to finish even if I had to crawl across the finish line. Something in my heart said enough was enough – I started running! It wasn’t fast but it was running at a snails pace. With volunteers and people cheering runners on towards the finish, I slowly worked my way along and passed up dozens of walkers. FINALLY, the finish line was in sight! Each little stride was extremely painful, but at this point my body was numb from pain. As I reached the finish line there was a torrential down pouring of rain. I felt like I was swimming as I waved up my arms and crossed the finish at 26.2 miles at 5:30 … I did it! For facing the different obstacles and adverse weather conditions, I finished and perseverance prevailed! A true runner at heart: Pain is temporary, quitting is forever! 

Yup! At the head of the car, right where I belong :)

Official race photos to coming soon!